The Power of New Possibilities
In what seems like a lifetime ago, I spent part of a sweet summer living and (rarely) studying in beautiful southern Spain. Although I was not truly alone, as I traveled with a group of fellow students, going abroad without anyone I previously knew was a huge step outside my comfort zone at the time. I’m quite sure I surprised everyone close to me, including myself, when I firmly decided to go. There was an insistent voice deep down inside, calling me to explore a new place, meet new people, and immerse myself in a new culture — and it was an instinct I could no longer ignore. There’s great power in choosing to stretch beyond your self-limiting beliefs; opting to expand my world, literally and figuratively, led me to one of the most formative summers I’ve ever experienced.
After a long, dusty bus ride from Madrid, I arrived in Granada, wide-eyed with nervous excitement. Although I had already studied the Spanish language for 10 years, nothing had prepared me for the nuances of the city’s dialect and the rapidity with which the local people spoke. Fortunately, by and large, the citizens were warm, friendly, and beyond patient. I quickly learned that a genuine smile and an earnest attempt to communicate were invaluable assets. If I made an effort, store clerks, restaurant servers, and professors willingly slowed to my pace; they encouraged me to keep engaging, building my confidence with every interaction. While my Spanish was far from perfect, I soon found freedom in knowing that I could readily navigate these new-to-me streets on my own and began to eagerly explore my neighborhood and the historical sites of the amazing medieval city around me.
For a full immersion experience, every exchange student in our Modern Languages program at the university lived with a local family. My hosts were a considerate, middle-aged couple who owned a large, comfortable apartment with oversized furniture and marble floors. The husband, Manolo, traveled frequently for work so he was rarely home, but when he was, the apartment came to life. He was a big, loud, teddy bear of a man, and a great storyteller with a contagious, hearty laugh. Manolo loved sharing a bottle of aged red wine and introduced me to Spain’s popular rioja, still one of my favorites — I think, in part, because of the fond memories drinking it brings. Before living in Spain, I didn’t understand the simple beauty of savoring a meal over the course of several hours, relaxing in the company of good people, drinking in not only the wine, but also the richness of the culture. The slower, more intentional pace of Andalusian life that Manolo embraced was foreign to me in more ways than one, but it was good to pause and challenge my usual, unintentional tendencies to race and rush.
While Manolo was outgoing, “Señora,” as we were asked to call her, was much more reserved. Encarnita was kind, and a true lady. Every day she dressed impeccably in a crisp blouse, skirt, and heels, hair styled, and makeup perfectly applied. She worked hard to keep an orderly home and prepare our daily meals. We typically didn’t drink wine unless Manolo was home, so I was pleasantly surprised one day when Encarnita offered me sangría with my lunch. When I accepted, perhaps a little too enthusiastically, she became so excited and proceeded to hand me a large plate piled high with watermelon. My roommate started to laugh… “SanDÍA,” she said knowingly. Ah, not sanGRÍA. Admittedly, I’m a picky eater, so whenever Encarnita discovered any food I enjoyed, her face would light up. Then, she would serve it in bulk every day with the biggest smile. I’ve never eaten so much watermelon in all my life as I did that summer, but I happily learned to try new foods and expand my palate because both the gesture and the fruit were so sweet.
When I was young, opting to travel abroad was a significant decision for me, and it proved to be a pivotal choice: it yielded some of my most influential life lessons, especially those gathered from my host family and the city’s local business owners. Ironically, school was where I learned the least in Spain. After classes, we explored every corner of Granada and its surrounding areas, all steeped in rich history and new opportunities.
The following are merely a few of my most memorable experiences… I stood in awe of the Alhambra Palace’s architecture and prayed at the nearby Capilla Real. I hiked in the stunning Alpujarra Mountains and drank from the healing waters at Lanjarón. I devoured the most amazing fondue on a cobblestone patio in the Albaicín, overlooking the city at sunset. I received a “be yourself” pep talk from a drag queen in a Madrid nightclub. I relished an evening horse and carriage ride through Sevilla, sparkling with festival lights. I built friendships with students from Germany, the UK, and Turkey. I swam in the crystal-clear Mediterranean Sea. I travelled streets so winding and narrow that I was hit by a car — while walking on the sidewalk. I clapped and stomped with flamenco dancers. I often visited the bakery on my walk to school and indulged in far too many churros con chocolate. I marveled at seeing the scale of Picasso’s “Guernica” in person. All of these unforgettable encounters became possible when I chose to step outside my comfort zone.
Our comfort zones vary greatly, and yours may be much broader or narrower than mine, but wherever your safe boundaries rest — whether it’s cliff diving or going out to dinner alone — I’d encourage you to step (or leap!) over them, at least once, in pursuit of something you deem scary and new. On the other side lie beautiful fields of untouched opportunity. Over twenty years ago, this entire trip was uncharted territory for me, but I decided to go, despite being afraid of “the new.” Immersing myself in an unfamiliar place with different people became one of the most rewarding growth experiences I’ve ever had. In moving through and beyond my discomfort, I found untapped strength, resilience, and faith within me and witnessed the helpfulness, love, and general goodness of other people. My Spanish summer taught me to trust myself, slow down, and be present. I’m forever grateful that I learned to open my mind, move forward when I’m scared, and embrace the power of fresh possibilities.
